Kids got fears? 3 Tips to Help Them Brave Their Fears

Lights out! It’s one of your favorite times of the day. The peace, the quiet…and then you hear the tiny voice chirping, “I’m scared!”

It’s nothing new—over the years you’ve checked for monsters under the bed, dinosaurs in the closet, aliens outside the window and a giant ostrich that supposedly visits your child’s room at night.

Even your best detective skills have never turned up anything more than a couple of dust bunnies or a missing sock. But that doesn’t convince little Kingsley.

Fears aren’t limited to nighttime, though—many kids are afraid of everything from swimming pools (what if there’s a shark?!?) to thunderstorms (what if the lightning gets me?!?) to spiders (can you blame him?).

Some fears may be more legitimate than others, but all are very real to your child, whether they’re two or twelve.

If there’s a fierce imaginary dragon (or giant, or cartoon villain) plaguing your house, don’t worry—there’s no reason your kids have to grow up afraid of the dark, or anything else. The strategies below will have your child braving even the bogeyman with ease.

3 Tips to Help Kids Brave Their Fears

1. Validate the feelings, but not the creepies

Childhood fears are very normal, and it’s important to be respectful of your child’s feelings.

Going overboard, though, by checking in every drawer for monsters or calling the swimming pool to ask if any sharks have been sighted, will only backfire by spinning the qualm out of proportion.

Avoid playing into the anxiety by briefly empathizing, then telling her you have confidence she can overcome it. Then, help her do so with the next tip.

2. Conquer the fear

Whether your child has had a frightful experience with a neighbor’s dog or can’t stomach escalators, he can conquer it with a little guidance from you.

First, in a calm moment, ask him for his ideas. Say, “I’ve noticed that dogs make you nervous—can you think of some things that would help you get used to them?”

Maybe he’s okay with dogs in kennels or on leashes, or maybe little dogs aren’t as scary. Start with your child’s suggestions, and gradually work your way up until he’s confronting his fear—and getting over it.

Recognize that especially if he’s had a bad experience in the past, this could take some time, but his newfound confidence will pay off.

3. Say “boo” to ghost stories

While you or your older kids might enjoy spooky stories and shows, they might be keeping your four-year-old up at night.

And while children may think they can handle creepy characters, sometimes their vivid imaginations get the better of them when the lights are off.

Know what your kids are reading and watching—even cartoons can have scary parts that are best avoided until the children are older and better able to differentiate fact from fiction.

Set appropriate limits, and when you feel like your child can handle a bit more, take it slowly and talk about what’s real and what’s not.

Final Thoughts

Fears are normal, but your kids don’t have to live with them. Help them get past their fright, and you’ll all sleep better!

While fears are normal, sometimes kids can blow these small fears out of proportion—knowing that they can get more time and attention from you.

If you can’t tell whether your child’s fears are valid or if they are simply a way of getting a rise out of you, I’d love for you to
JOIN ME FOR A FREE ONLINE CLASS.

I’ll teach you the real reasons behind a child’s misbehavior and give you the tools you need to sort through whether they are acting fearful or truly fearful.